Collagen is a key structural protein within the human body—form of just like the scaffolding that supports all the things from fingernails to hair to internal organs.
In actual fact, about 30% of all of the protein in your body is collagen. The first function of collagen is to supply structure and support throughout your body. It’s present in your bones, skin, muscles, cartilage, tendons, and ligaments.
What are the Foods that contain Collagen?
Collagen acts as a cushion and shock absorber for our muscles, joints and internal organs. It forms a protective barrier for our digestive tract. A healthy body relies on a gradual supply of collagen to maintain our skin looking young and vibrant.
Collagen will be present in the connective tissues of animal foods like chicken and pork skin. Bone broth can also be one other wealthy source of collagen. Gelatin is cooked collagen and hence it is rather high in amino acids needed to provide it.
Nevertheless, research remains to be on regarding the impact of collagen-dense foods on protein levels within the body.
Can an excessive amount of Collagen production result in Hair Loss?
Scleroderma or systematic sclerosis is an autoimmune disorder wherein the immune system attacks the body by destroying the healthy tissues. Scleroderma is characterised by changes in the feel and appearance of the skin on account of increased collagen production.
Increased collagen production cannot result in hair loss if an individual consumes the doctor-prescribed amount of collagen. In actual fact, there are various benefits of collagen for hair.
Collagen can strengthen the interior structure of hair and boosts hair growth. It may well increase the fullness and thickness of the hair as well.
Collagen can assist in stopping premature greying of hair as it may provide ample amounts of essential amino acids to the hair follicles. The follicular structure is liable for providing color to the hair. Thus, a balanced level of collagen within the body can reverse premature greying of hair.
Collagen can reduce split ends by providing enough moisture to the hair from top to bottom. A decreased collagen level can result in a loss in hair elasticity which leads to hair breakage. Thus, collagen can relieve the hair from such problems.
Should you are facing hair loss problems, there could be very little probability that the underlying cause is increased collagen within the body.
Given below are some common causes of hair loss but to be precisely clear concerning the cause, we recommend consulting a specialist.
1. Genetic Hair Loss: Hereditary-pattern baldness is essentially the most common explanation for hair loss. If you could have a family history of baldness, you might be very more likely to experience hair fall on account of genetic aspects. This kind of hair loss can begin as early as puberty because certain lovemaking hormones trigger these hereditary hair losses.
2. Hormonal Changes: Hair loss on account of hormonal changes will likely be temporary in nature. Your hair will start growing back with none treatments. Some hormonal changes that may cause temporary hair loss are:
- Pregnancy
- Menopause
- Childbirth
- Discontinuing using contraception pills
3. Medical Conditions: Medical conditions reminiscent of thyroid, diabetes, alopecia areata, scalp infections may cause hair loss. Certain medications used to treat health conditions like cancer, depression, heart problems, hypertension, etc. may also trigger hair loss.
4. Smoking: Smoking affects blood vessels and makes them more narrow, which ends up in hair loss. The nicotine slows down the production of certain substances liable for hair growth. Furthermore, it reduces the quantity of calcium within the body and impairs its transfer to the skin follicles liable for hair growth.
Sometimes emotional or physical shock may also induce hair loss. These shocks include:
- High fever
- Sudden weight reduction or weight gain
- Accident
- Death of a detailed member of the family
Other causes of hair loss are:
- Hair loss on account of tight hairstyles or use of styling tools/heating tools
- Individuals with trichotillomania, which is a hair-pulling disorder, experience hair loss.
- An imbalanced food plan or lack of nutrients within the body may also result in hair thinning.
What are the Causes of Collagen Damage?
Given below are among the behaviours that may potentially destroy collagen production.
- Eating an excessive amount of sugar and refined carbs can disrupt collagen production.
- Extensive exposure to the sun’s UV radiation can reduce collagen production.
- Smoking may also reduce collagen production which ends up in wrinkles and disrupts wound healing.
- Autoimmune disorders like lupus may also damage collagen within the body.
3 Health Advantages of Collagen
Collagen is essentially the most abundant protein within the body. The body uses collagen for quite a lot of purposes and is richly present in bones, skin, tendons and ligaments. It acts as a glue holding our tissues together. Some health advantages of collagen are given below.
- Collagen supplements could make your bones stronger and decelerate the aging process. This helps in stopping brittle bones.
- Collagen supplements might act as a light pain reliever for knee osteoarthritis. It might take 3-5 months of day by day collagen supplements intake to see improvements.
- Collagen peptide supplements can strengthen and increase muscle mass.
Take Away
Collagen is as essential as respiratory air for continued good health. Collagen gives strength to our bones by producing more flexible and stronger tendons. It also helps to fight off the harmful effects of tension and keep our skin supple and youthful.